Missoula Valley, MT April 2024

Investments

Investing in what matters.

Disclaimer: I'm not one to follow for financial advice.

Investments have rarely taken on a financial form in my life, and when they do, it's knowing and having a hand in the right market at the right time. Mostly by accident or luck. But what I really want to talk about is the outer edge—the overgrown fields, if you will, of what a worthy investment really means.

When I was 9 years old my father purchased a horse when he was living paycheck to paycheck. He was in his mid 60s and never owned a horse before. He took me to riding lessons every week for about 10 years. Every day, especially during the summer months, we spent hours at the barn grooming her, training her, loving on her, and just being in awe of her.

And then another investment came: college. We loaded her up along with some of my things and off we went together. More money in the hole. I had student loans and a very expensive pet when I graduated college, and then my father died that autumn.

I only saw her on the weekends that year. Her board bill was almost even with my apartment rent in NYC. But every time I grabbed that halter and lead rope and walked the gravel path to her pasture, I thought of Dad. I could see myself as he likely did: suddenly grown up, a woman. I was walking through my childhood dream—the one he created for us—every time I was with her.

And then I moved to Montana with her in tow. We needed a fresh beginning that involved buying property big enough to finally, after 15 years of boarding, bring her home. It was my Dad's dream, and mine. I purchased a home with barely enough money leftover to fill it with furniture (again, don't follow me for financial advice) but what's the investment cost of a dream come true? Can you put a number on all the bills and sacrifice and losses along the way? Do you pull up or pull out when money starts to run out? Probably. But that wasn't how I handled investment.

I hope this issue inspires you to pursue financial investments that are in your best interests, but I also hope you'll be inspired to take a family trip, find overall wellness, and donate to a cause that builds a better community. And maybe buy a horse.

April 2024

PUBLISHER

Mike Tucker | MTucker@CityLifestyle.com

EDITOR

Chelsea Lyn Agro | Chelsea.Agro@CityLifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Marla Huggins | Marla.Huggins@CityLifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Erika Spaulding | InspiredByMontana@Gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Chelsea Lyn Agro, Shelby Humphreys, Emma Trotter, Susie Wall CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Chelsea Lyn Agro

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

business monthly

Cosmetic Care at Diggs Dental

Do you consider your smile to be an investment? You can with cosmetic dentistry at Diggs Dental. Firstly, is it worth it? Determining factors involves evaluating your confidence level and whether your teeth have been keeping you from smiling or laughing or speaking in front of others. Cosmetic treatment options include take-home teeth whitening, in-office teeth whitening, dental bonding, shaping, contouring, and veneers. Visit DiggsDentalCare.com

Scan to read more

Wealth Management

Financial advice can be difficult to navigate. The professionals at D.A. Davidson 406 Wealth Management can offer objective financial advice and management, tailored just for you. Visit DADavidson.com to learn more.

Scan to read more

Staggs Painting LLC.

Tis the season for planning home investments like the interior or exterior painting of your new home or business. Contact Bill Staggs to talk about your painting style and needs. Call 406.529.7428 or visit StaggsPaintingLLC.com

Scan to read more

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA

GREYCLIFF MILL IS A YEARLONG RETREAT FOR BEING INSPIRED BY SIMPLICITIES I N

VESTINA SI MPLEGETAW A

Y

"A 1760 barn with a water powered gristmill turns at a slow speed— one that reflects the entire setting and purpose of the community and visitors that thrive there."

Imagine a scenic all-inclusive getaway that is only four hours from Missoula. A 1760 barn with a water powered gristmill turns at a slow speed—one that reflects the entire setting and purpose of the community and visitors that thrive there. There are dairy cows for fresh milk and cream, a cheese cave, a greenhouse, and delectables for purchase—all made from scratch or locally sourced. An espresso machine grinds as the wooden floorboards creak underfoot and a sourdough bagel is set out before me. Greycliff Mill is a place to truly unwind and reset, and while we’re at it, a place to reimagine life and all its complexities.

My husband and I mazed our way up the hillside with a sleepy toddler in the backseat when we arrived, our headlights showing the dirt path ahead. The Mountain Sheep Silo awaited us with its warm glow and charming amenities. There is no wifi

here, no television. Just Tic-Tac-Toe and a sense of adventure in our rounded space. Our son marveled at life inside of a tin can: “We get to sleep in here!” But at breakfast, as I sit with this gorgeous bagel slathered with cream cheese, my little family and I are inspired by such a simple meal. The breakfast burrito is wrapped in a scratch made tortilla—it’s sweet and melts away in my mouth, making store-bought tortillas seem completely unacceptable now. The sunlight streams in through the floor-toceiling windows and we wander out the back doors to explore the quaint grounds.

We follow the maze of the working mill and the meandering stream that barely moves under the footbridge that we pass over. My son spots the swing set and games up ahead and flees. A few dogs are making their rounds to each visitor and I suspect this is a daily part of their day—begging for

"The room swells with that old fashioned scent of natural materials. For me, it’s like nestling up inside a favorite leather handbag or stepping into a beloved tack shop: timeless. Things made here last forever."

a scratch behind the ear or a crumb from a muffin. Along the roadway, a horse and carriage clink and clop. The young boy who’s driving gives us a passing wave.

There’s a leather shop where a man cuts a long piece of hide to length on a wide table. The room swells with that old fashioned scent of natural materials. For me, it’s like nestling up inside a favorite leather handbag or stepping into a beloved tack shop: timeless. Things made here last forever. Upstairs there are women spinning wool into yarn. We step closer to hone in on the practice of this art form. One of the women stops to show us the way she readies the wool, how it spins and takes shape. My hands are on my son’s shoulders as he points and leans in. Inquisitive. Around the attic-like space are woolens and woven treasures—little figurines and baby clothes. “That one right there was made by a 14-year-old boy,” one of the women says. It’s soft and perfect, a well executed outfit that was so thoughtfully made.

The cheese cave and greenhouse are of particular interest to us. Through a peephole in a wooden door in a dark underground alleyway, cheese is shelved and aging. The tunnel gives way to a ray of warm light coming from the greenhouse where the warm, thick air hits us as we prop open the door. Grasses and flowers are abundant. Lettuce, tomatoes, and other vegetables seem to take turns growing in rows or beds at our feet. Where one plant is turning brown, another is vibrant green. Nothing seems to be in abundance but taking its rightful turn with the natural turn of season.

Back outside, the cows are licking their calve’s heads and the term “cowlick”

makes perfect sense now. We make the short walk back to our Mountain Sheep Silo and ready ourselves for the evening’s feast. Twice or three times per month, Greycliff Mill offers a farm-to-table themed dinner. Ours is Indian themed where we meet this five course menu of items: Chai tea, samosas, kachumber salad, butter chicken, and pistachio ice cream. Every ingredient is chosen to highlight the extravagance that can be achieved with seasonal ingredients and a little imagination. The old barn is home to these intimate dinners, which are known to pack the place and bring a homelike feeling to all guests. The wood beams reveal years of character and history and each dish brings new life to the space and conversations around us. Not to my surprise, my toddler devours the pistachio ice cream as his main meal but who cares when you’re on a getaway?

Night has fallen outside and the guests at each table begin to collect their coats and scurry off to the parking lot or neighboring silos. We hoof it on the winding path back to our humble abode and as I’m looking up at the vast sky above us, a soft green light stretches out toward the cliffs. Aurora borealis, the northern lights. There isn’t a better finale than an after dinner walk under Montana’s night light.

Greycliff Mill offers a one-of-a-kind experience in simplicity and old world charm—a step away from the chaos of today's world, reminding us of what humble roots we share here in the West. And how we can easily return to them and relish the experience with our loved ones.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

SHARKEY INSURANCE HAS FAMILY AT THE HEART OF WHAT THEY DO.

ASSURED AND INSURED

The number of insurance companies out there is mind-boggling. It can be hard to decide which company to choose, and which plan best fits

started there while he was a senior at the University of Montana in 2009.

According to Ryan, large insurance agencies are rapidly acquiring smaller

"WHEN YOU CALL OUR OFFICE, YOU TALK TO THE SAME PEOPLE EVERY TIME AND YOU’RE NOT GETTING PUSHED DOWN THE LINE.” - RYAN SHARKEY

your life and budget. Plus, there’s the added frustration of trying to talk to a real-life person when you need to make these important decisions. Who among us hasn’t shouted into the receiver at one time or another, “Representative! Representative!”

That’s when a local family-run company like Sharkey Insurance can save the day. For almost 50 years they have been taking the time to get to know each one of their customers and develop relationships that help carry them through life’s big events.

Sharkey Insurance was started by Harold Sharkey in Missoula in 1975. Today, their office has seven agents and a helpful support staff. Three of those agents include Harold’s son, Ron, and grandsons Ryan and Brandon. Ryan is in the process of taking over the company from his father. He has worked in the family business his entire professional life, having

agencies like his, but while these larger entities often allow you to handle everything yourself online, the personal touch is sorely lacking.

“You’re basically your own agent, but do you really know what you’re buying? Do you understand liability limits? Are you in a good spot to defend your net worth?” says Ryan. “I think the most important thing when looking for an insurance agent is to find someone you can talk to, someone in town that knows and understands you and your individual circumstances so you can get the best coverage at the most competitive price. That’s what we do. When you call our office, you talk to the same people every time and you’re not getting pushed down the line.”

Ryan explains the process of your initial meeting with one of their agents. “The first thing we do is assess risk, which is a broad term for understanding what your motivation is,” he says.

“Are you unhappy with your current company? Are you looking for a specific type of coverage? We have a conversation to find out what’s driving you to us, then we tailor the results to address the reasons you came here.”

After that, they shop the market which Ryan likens to using Kayak to find the best hotel room. Although instead of planning a vacation, this is planning protection of your most valuable possessions, and they take it very seriously.

The next step is to review all the options with you in detail and together you can decide what best suits your needs, budget, and lifestyle. “Our experienced agents know the difference between the carriers. We’ll let the market save you money, but we’re not going to do it by underinsuring your things,” says Ryan.

The relationship doesn’t end there. They also provide support with the claims process and help you review your policy as your life changes. “I tell everyone to review and re-market every three to five years,” says Ryan. “In my opinion, there is no such thing as loyalty when it comes to insurance companies. You might have the best fit already, but it’s worth a look.”

It’s easy to think of insurance solely as a way to protect your possessions, but it can also be a valuable investment tool. Ryan says, “The single most important concept to grasp in relation to financial advice and investment strategy is don’t let your nest egg be stolen because you didn’t buy the right insurance. Ryan explains that it’s important to have a conversation about obtaining an umbrella insurance policy,

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO ME TO MAKE AND RETAIN RELATIONSHIPS. THAT’S WHAT I ENJOY ABOUT THIS WORK."

- RYAN SHARKEY

especially for anyone with a slightly higher net worth. “I don’t ever ask people how much money they make or what’s in their portfolio, but I do tell them we want to defend your hard work.”

When Ryan is asked why he has dedicated his life to the family business, he says “It’s important to me to make and retain relationships. That’s what I enjoy about this work. Our clients are like family. I love watching the newly engaged couple have kids, buy their first home, and upgrade cars. That’s the fun part. This could be considered a dying breed of service, but I believe it’s a service everyone deserves.”

SHARKEY INSURANCE

619 SW Higgins Avenue

REAPING REWARDS THROUGH RESOURCES

The Humane Society of Western Montana expands their reach with the same goal in mind

In 1963, Missoula’s pet population nearly outnumbered its citizens. With the growth of animal welfare organizations across the country, concerned citizens decided to follow suit and open a shelter to invest in the health of the community by improving animal welfare. Today, just over sixty years later, the Humane Society of Western Montana is bringing that mission to rural communities across our state.

Executive Director Marta Pierpoint can see the history in the numbers. “In 1972, 8,000 animals came through the facility. With our clinics and programs, we’ve been able to get that down to anywhere from 1,200 to 1,400 a year. But, those

bigger numbers are still happening across the country right now, including in our state,” said Marta. That realization came during the pandemic when Marta and other directors cobbled together partnerships to deliver food and supplies to pet owners’ doors. “It was a state-wide effort and a turning point for us. We saw how incredibly vast the need for care was in rural areas that had no access to services.”

In 2021, after shelters opened again, Missoula’s staff stayed on the speed dial of animal caretakers across the state. Havre Animal Services reached out with an invite to coordinate a clinic on the Rocky Boy Reservation. The Missoula team went into

CONTINUED >

action figuring out how to deliver the best care possible with the resources they could bring 300 miles away.

“We started to think next-level,” Marta said. “We asked the Chippewa-Cree Tribe about their priorities and needs. We put the call out for a large space with full utilities and the fire department volunteered their hall. They moved their trucks outside for us so there was plenty of space for people to wait with their pets.” Once there, the team went to work treating, spaying, and neutering animals for three long days. That first visit was such a success that they returned three times that summer. Each visit revealed how dire circumstances can become for communities with few resources.

“We see animals in all sorts of conditions. We offer whatever services we can safely provide in the field, but without access to vets or basic care it's hard for pet owners,” said Marta. As with any clinic, there are the cases that tug at heartstrings along with the ones that make everyone shake their heads. “We see a lot of porcupine quills!” said Marta. “Sometimes our vets will spend hours pulling those things out of a snout and—yikes—she’s back again the next time. Daisy didn’t learn!”

Those first clinics at Rocky Boy were so successful that they became a model for delivering care in more Montana towns and communities. Marta and a dedicated team of providers coordinate with officials in whatever capacity they can to meet each community's unique needs. The crew includes surgical teams, anesthesiologists, and a mobile hospital affectionately named The Vaccinator, a unit that they were able to purchase with the help of the Alice Lee Lund Charitable Trust in Great Falls.

“It’s a fully operational mobile clinic with a complete surgical suite, including anesthesia and X-ray,” Marta said. No matter where they go, the team always encounters smiles and hugs. “Everyone is so grateful for whatever we can offer,” said Marta. “I love to say ‘you’re welcome’

The Humane Society of Western Montana

5930 U.S. Hwy 93 South 406.549.3934

MyHSWM.org

If you’d like to help, there are several options coming up:

• Purchase a ticket to the fundraiser benefit on April 13 at The Wilma

• Sponsor a vaccine or spay/ neuter clinic

• Donate to the financial assistance fund that helps people pay for surgeries and services that the shelter can’t provide

and always tell them that it’s our doors that make it possible. I wish those donors could hear what we hear,” she said.

Even with working across the state, the shelter staff remains true to Missoula’s original investment in 1963. “We take care of our own first,” said Marta. Besides maintaining a stellar adoption rate that hovers between 98% and 99%, the staff delivered 100 vaccines in three hours during a clinic at the Missoula Fairgrounds last year. They also maintain a large library of how-to articles on their website to answer common questions about puppies, adult dogs, and cats. Plus, because every pet has a person, they help support the most vulnerable among us by delivering food and blankets to the Johnson Street pet-friendly homeless shelter. They also coordinate temporary

housing for pets when owners are displaced or in crisis. “We follow a growing philosophy that the best thing we can do is support people who have pets so they won’t have to surrender them,” said Marta.

Whether it's at the facility just south of Missoula or visiting rural towns across the fourth largest state in the country, Missoula’s Humane Society of 1963 has evolved to become Western Montana’s Humane Society in name and scope. “I invite people to think of us differently,” Marta said. “We have an animal shelter but we are an animal welfare organization. We’re not just investing in our local community but all across our state. We go into communities that are where we were in the ‘70s. We’re building opportunities for pets and people to thrive. That’s where we can make a difference.”

“We follow a growing philosophy that the best thing we can do is support people who have pets so they won’t have to surrender them.”

A Slew of Therapies, One Investment

THE TEAM AT INTEGRATED THERAPYWORKS IS DEDICATED TO THE WHOLE PATIENT AND WHOLE FAMILY

The partners of Integrated TherapyWorks, which offers occupational therapy (OT), speech-language pathology, physical therapy, and mental health therapy in one building, put a lot of thought into the name. Integrated: it means focusing on the whole person, not one isolated issue. It means coordinating schedules so that clients can receive multiple therapies in a single visit, and it means collaborating with families, schools, and the broader Missoula community.

Integrated TherapyWorks, which was founded in 2011, opened its current Higgins location in 2020. The waiting room boasts toys, books, plants, and art created by a client. Inside, visitors encounter a climbing wall, a punching bag, various swings, a ball pit—and that’s just in the downstairs gym. In addition to outdoor space, a second gym upstairs and plenty of rooms where 19 therapists can see clients and get paperwork done, the building also has a kitchen where clients are exposed to different sensory textures and work on fine motor skills.

The eight partners in Integrated TherapyWorks, plus their employees and independent contractors, have a standing Wednesday lunch meeting. The atmosphere is familial as five of those partners, founder Michael Crews (speech-language pathology), Melissa Voller (pediatric speech therapy), Margaret Gainer (speech-language pathology), Abbey Guza (mental health), and Drew Iaderosa (OT) immediately begin to finish one another’s sentences.

LET’S GET STARTED BY DISCUSSING THE OVERALL NATURE AND GOALS OF INTEGRATED THERAPYWORKS.

Michael: Integrated therapy…works. I know I’m going to help a client reach their goals more efficiently if we work together.

Margaret : An added benefit for families is they can come to one place…a lot of the families that come here see multiple therapists.

Abbey: We work tirelessly to coordinate so families aren’t in and out of here a hundred times a week. We can then work separately with the parent while [a] child is here.

COULD SOMEONE SPEAK TO HOW IT BENEFITS AN ADULT OR CHILD TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS RELATED SERVICES UNDER ONE ROOF?

Michael: An adult who had a traumatic brain injury was seeing me and struggling with managing her life because of the challenges she has with exec function, as well as meeting the needs of a young daughter with ADHD. The daughter then started with mental health services.

Abbey: And I was able to support her and the mom through that perspective, then realized the child needed more sensory support, so, I referred her for OT. The child has since terminated services and is doing very, very well.

HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THERAPY FOR A CHILD, AND IN WHAT WAYS IS THIS INVOLVEMENT CONSIDERED AN INVESTMENT IN THEIR WELL-BEING?

Drew : I’m a big homework guy. I don’t consider OT just sprinkling some magic on top of someone for an hour and hoping everything changes.

Margaret : We all know the real progress happens at home.

Melissa: What we all do naturally is meet the parents where they’re at.

Abbey: For example, a single parent who desperately needs a break. In a perfect world, she would be in on our sessions

"An added benefit for families is they can come to one place… a lot of the families that come here see multiple therapists." - Margaret

"A lot of people come to us and they’re at a loss. They don’t know what to do, they feel like they’ve tried everything. I assure you that feeling is not there when it’s time for us to discharge." -  Drew

with her kid, but it turned out the more important goal was that she get a break during the kid’s session. Then, I met with her separately at a different time.

WHAT LONG-TERM BENEFITS DO YOU BELIEVE YOUR SERVICES PROVIDE TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN TERMS OF THEIR OVERALL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT?

Drew : A lot of people come to us and they’re at a loss. They don’t know what to do, they feel like they’ve tried everything. I assure you that feeling is not there when it’s time for us to discharge.

Margaret : We want the therapy to be fun and functional so when they get home they can carry it over into their everyday lives and be successful.

HAVE YOU INVESTED EFFORTS IN ADVOCATING FOR BETTER ACCESS TO THERAPY SERVICES ON A BROADER SCALE?

Michael: Years ago, there was a cognitive code that was not covered by Montana Medicaid. I advocated for it, and I finally got that code to be covered. Now, we’re in a battle for the state to recognize that sensory integration, plus speech and language, is critical to many of our patients and support why that should be covered.

We want the therapy to be fun and functional so when they get home they can carry it over into their everyday lives and be successful.

Melissa: Reimbursement at the Medicaid level is extremely low. Many providers limit the number they will take.

Drew : We offer sliding scales, we’re going to find a way to make it work. I can’t think of a client we’ve turned away.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS TO SUM UP WHAT INTEGRATED THERAPYWORKS DOES OR IS?

Drew : This place is a microcosm of what makes Missoula great. It’s a lot of folks working together to help people out.

Abbey: We all see it as such a gift to be able to do this work. We all feel gratitude to the families that we serve.

Michael: We’re invested in each other, the families, the treatment clients need to engage in their world. We collaborate with each other as therapists as well as with families, medical providers and other agencies in town to help meet the needs of our clients.

Sustainability in Action